Which is better Hammamet or Djerba? Djerba or Hammamet: which is better?

Let's find out which resort in Tunisia is better to relax with children, young people and the elderly in 2019? Where is the best beach and sightseeing holiday? Weather and tourist reviews about the country.

In a short time, Tunisia has gained fame as an inexpensive place for a beach holiday: oriental exoticism, sandy beaches and affordable prices have attracted tourists from different countries. The growing popularity of this North African country was somewhat weakened by the 2015 terrorist attack, but the actions taken by the authorities and increased police control helped stop the panic, and the best resorts in Tunisia are still in demand on the tourism market.

Let's figure out where is the best place to vacation in Tunisia in 2019. Let's look at the country's popular resorts and classify them according to various criteria.

Beach holidays in Tunisia: where is it better?

The most popular resorts in Tunisia are Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir, Mahdia and the island of Djerba. Europeans prefer holidays in Sousse and Hammamet - these are large resorts with well-developed infrastructure and a large network of hotels in different price categories. Hammamet is considered a more expensive and comfortable resort than Sousse, and prices for accommodation here are always slightly higher.

According to tourists, in 2019 it is best to relax in Tunisia at a resort Hammamet. There are more expensive five-star hotels, many of which are all-inclusive. Conventionally, the resort is divided into two areas: Medina with sandy beaches and Yasmina with pebble beaches. The city has free-standing or hotel-based thalassotherapy centers, an amusement park with attractions and a water park (so it is better to go here on holiday with children), and nightclubs and bars are concentrated on two streets in the city center. The main feature of the resort is the abundance of green spaces - a landscape that is not typical for North African countries.

Many tourists prefer Sousse- according to reviews, this is one of the best places in Tunisia where you can have a good rest. In Sousse, the vast majority of hotels are 3* and 4*, there are many clubs and bars. The resort is aimed at youth recreation, so the prices here are affordable. The main local attraction of the city is the Medina; the most fastidious vacationers go to the suburb of Sousse - Port el Kantoui. There are good clean beaches, a water park, thalassotherapy centers and large shopping centers.

A relaxing holiday can be found in, which is located near Sousse. In Monastir, most hotels have long been in need of modernization, so people with high demands should not relax here. There is practically no entertainment or shopping; vacationers go on excursions and visit local attractions: the ancient Ribat fortress of the 8th century and the Habiba Bourguiba Mosque, built in the 20th century. There is a golf club, a yacht club and a riding school.

Embankment in Monastir (Photo © Monastir / wikimedia.org)
Ancient fortress Ribat in Monastir (Photo © IssamBarhoumi / wikimedia.org)

The most luxurious hotels are on the island Djerba- this is the best place to relax in Tunisia. Wealthy citizens with above-average income prefer to come here, and this resort has not become too popular among our compatriots.

According to reviews, holidays in Tunisia have their own minuses. This is begging and excessive attention of local men to pretty white-skinned tourists, deception in the trade and cases of theft on the beach and in nightclubs. It is advisable for tourists to learn basic English or French, since Russian is not spoken here. Well, the main disadvantage is that the standard of living of citizens is not too high, and non-tourist Tunisia looks simply depressing: unpleasant odors, dirt and garbage, dubious establishments and annoying merchants.

Where is it cheaper to holiday in Tunisia? If we analyze the offers of the 2019 tourist season, a week’s holiday for two in a 4* hotel on the first line in Sousse will cost 15-20% less than in Hammamet. The most expensive hotels on the island of Djerba.

Where to stay in Tunisia? We recommend searching for hotels on the Roomguru search engine; it will select the most profitable options among many booking systems. You can also find apartments and villas there - this is more profitable if you are going on vacation with a group or family.

Riders on a Tunisian beach (Photo © SteCatLliure / pixabay.com)

Cultural and excursion holidays

In Tunisia in 2019, tourists are offered interesting excursions. Popular visits to ancient Carthage and the blue and white town of Sidi Bou Said, the ancient ruins of Douggi and El Jem, the fortress of Monastir and the mosques of Kairouan. In the capital there is the Great Mosque, the oriental bazaar in the old Medina, the Cathedral of St. Vincent de Paul and museums.

Great Mosque of Kairouan, or Uqba Mosque (Photo © khowaga1 / flickr.com)

In their reviews, vacationers in Tunisia note that two-day tours to the Sahara Desert leave the strongest impressions. First, tourists are shown the ancient Colosseum in El Jem, then the cave structures of the troglodytes and the habitats of the Berbers in the ancient city of Matmata. The next day we will be taken to the Salt Lake and the oasis, then to Kairouan. The trip is expensive (about $150), tiring, but very interesting, so many tourists recommend going with a dry snack (the food is not very good) and a supply of drinking water.

Colosseum in El Jem (Photo © archer10 / flickr.com)

Where is the best place to relax in Tunisia with children?

If you are planning a trip with a child, we advise you to be more careful when choosing a resort and hotel. According to reviews, it is better to relax in Tunisia with children in Mahdia, Monastir, Hammamet. There is everything for a relaxing holiday: sandy beaches, decent hotels and small entertainment. Adults go diving, although the underwater world in Tunisia is not very rich in variety, play golf, go on excursions and take wellness treatments.

Aqua Palace water park in Port El Kantaoui, Sousse (Photo © www.acquapalace.com)

For children there are playgrounds, swimming pools with water slides, and babysitting services are available. Animation in Tunisia is not as developed as in Turkey, but a similar practice is carried out in some family-type hotels. The situation with the children's menu is a little worse: Tunisian cuisine is specific and abounds in spices, but hotels provide a diet menu, and if you wish, you can find something to feed your child. You will need to be careful when choosing drinks - local water is of disgusting quality, the same problem with juices. There may be jellyfish in the sea.

Some mothers are annoyed by locals who become wildly delighted at the sight of a light-skinned child and strive to touch him, but Tunisians do this completely sincerely, and you certainly shouldn’t be angry with them for this.

Where is the best place for young people to relax in Tunisia?

Young people most often choose Sousse for relax. It is an active city with vibrant nightlife and entertainment. Sousse has rides, karting, laser shows and discos, including Bora-Bora - the largest open-air disco in Africa, bars and restaurants with live music, many hotels - from budget two-room apartments to luxurious five-room apartments. Sousse is easy to navigate; there is a tourist area with hotels, a historical center (Medina) and a business center.

In the Sousse suburb of Port el Kantaoui there are also several discos and large shopping centers, a water park, a zoo, an amusement park and a golf club. Vacationers are offered sea excursions on a boat and dives in a bathyscaphe.

Resorts for seniors

It is better for older people to relax in quiet resorts in Tunisia Mahdia or Nabeul (Nabeul). The tourist infrastructure there is poorly developed, but this deficiency is compensated by the white and soft sandy beaches. There are no noisy discos and nightclubs here, as in Sousse, and the hotels are designed for a quiet and relaxing holiday by the sea.

Deserted beach in Nabeul (Photo © Beata Zdyb / wikimedia.org)

When and where is the best time to vacation in Tunisia in 2019?

Tunisia has a Mediterranean subtropical climate on the coast and in the northern part of the country, and a desert tropical climate in the south and center. Most favorable for relaxation from March to November, from July to the end of August it is hot.

Weather in Tunisia in spring

In March, the number of sunny days increases, and precipitation decreases, the air warms up to +19°C. In April, Sousse, Djerba and other resorts already open the season; it is warmest on the island of Djerba, +22°C during the day and there is a lot of fresh fruit. The evenings are cool and the sea has not yet warmed up. It’s a little warmer in May: during the day +25°C, the water is invigorating +17°C, only the most freeze-resistant tourists swim.

Weather in summer

The real beach season starts at June: during the day +27°C, sea +20°C, sometimes stormy. IN July The heat comes from the desert: during the day in Hammamet and Sousse +32°C, in Tunisia +33...+34°C. In Tabarka, Mahdia and on the island of Djerba it is +30°C, so in July it is better to relax in Tunisia there.

The heat reaches its peak in August, it’s better to forget about excursions during this period: in Tunisia +34°C and above, in Sousse and Hammamet +33°C, Djerba +32°C, Tabarka +31°C. The sea warms up to +26°C.

Weather in autumn

According to reviews, it is best to relax in Tunisia in September, as the heat subsides: during the day +31°C, sea +23°C. IN October the temperature in Tabarka is +25°C, on the island of Djerba +28°C, the sea is warm +21°C. This month is often chosen by older people for relaxation.

IN November It rains more and more often, the air temperature drops to +20°C, the winds blow, and the swimming season ends. The warmest on the island of Djerba is +23°C, in Sousse +22°C, in Mahdia and Hammamet +21°C, in Tabarka +20°C.

Weather in winter

Air temperature in winter can vary from +16°C to +8°C. In December and January at seaside resorts it is +15°C, the water is +13°C, but it feels colder because there is heavy rain and gusty winds. In February, the sea is still cold, but the air is warming up a little and already smells like spring. In winter in Tabarka +13°C, in Tunisia, Hammamet and Mahdia +14°C, in Sousse +15°C and on the island of Djerba +16°C. This is the low season in Tunisia, at this time you can only count on sightseeing holidays.

(Photo © archer10 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Introductory image source: © Aymen FANTAR / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

The best resorts in Tunisia They offer a vibrant nightlife with expensive entertainment for young people and wealthy tourists, a measured, relaxing holiday for couples and retirees, as well as privacy and romance for newlyweds. Find out below which resort to choose and where to stay in order to save money and not be disappointed.

Hammamet

The northernmost, most popular and most expensive resort in Tunisia, which was created artificially (analogous to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt). Hammamet is conventionally divided into two parts: Port Marina and Hammamet Yasmine (the most luxurious resort on the entire coast).

Mostly five- and four-star hotels with excellent thalassotherapy centers are concentrated here. Although three-star hotels are also available. All hotels are located on the first line from the sea across the road (the so-called promenade). In addition, Hammamet is an entertainment mecca for tourists with its expensive boutiques, restaurants, clubs and expensive entertainment.

Sousse

The resort of Sousse is divided into two parts: Sousse and Port El Kantaoui. Port El Kantaoui is an artificially created resort where there are no local residents, a fairly developed infrastructure and hotels are slightly cheaper than in Hammamet.

Sousse, the third largest "city that never sleeps" with a huge number of nightclubs and budget accommodation options. This resort is perfect for young people and active tourists.

Mahdia

The southernmost resort of Tunisia. Here are the whitest beaches, tranquility and tranquility. And all thanks to the fact that there are few tourists here and there is no such traffic and parties as in Hammamet. Actually, there is no infrastructure here either. Just a few fish restaurants and a couple of clubs. Here, as in other Tunisian resorts, you can go fishing or rent a yacht and spend a day on the open sea. In general, a calm, measured holiday is guaranteed to you here. The only inconvenience is that the transfer from the airport to the Mahdia resort takes about two hours.

Monastir

The Monastir resort can be divided into two parts: the city of Monastir with a beautiful medina, the Ribat fortress and the mausoleum of the former president. And Skanes, which is located one kilometer outside the city. This is where the line of hotels originates. The resort has almost no infrastructure (only two hotels), so all “life” is concentrated in the city of Manastir. This is where one of the Tunisian airports is located.

The Monastir resort is suitable for families with children and elderly people who value tranquility and a relaxed holiday.

Djerba Island

Houmt Souke is considered to be the center of the island of Djerba. There is also little tourist activity in the town of Midoun. A special feature of the resort island is that the air temperature here is higher than on the continent and therefore at other Tunisian resorts, but only by a couple of degrees.

The island has good sandy beaches, many modern hotels and excellent thalassotherapy centers (at the hotels). The island is the starting point for excursions to Berber settlements, the Sahara Desert and the Tataouine area.

I note that all the beaches in Tunisia are sandy with snow-white sand, there are no pebbles anywhere, and the entrance to the sea is gentle. In addition, all beaches are municipal and hotels rent them. Therefore, locals do not have the right to enter the territory where hotel sun loungers and umbrellas are located. Most hotels offer sun loungers and umbrellas for free or with a deposit, which is returned upon check-out. It's a small thing, but nice.

Prices for hotel rooms depend on the season, star rating, Tunisian resort, distance from the beach, type of food and accommodation, availability of a balcony/terrace, and so on. If you want to save money and spend most of your time at sea, on excursions and thalassotherapy sessions, then choose a more modest hotel and resort.

Which is better with a child: Sousse, Monastir or Hammamet?

Tunisia is a wonderful country for children's holidays and in almost every resort there is an interesting place for children's holidays. But all Tunisian resorts differ from each other, and in some places significantly. First of all, when vacationing with children, you need to pay attention to how calm or noisy the resort is.

Sousse can be called one of the most fun cities in Tunisia; many discos, nightclubs, bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues are concentrated here. Entertainment is concentrated not only in Sousse, but also in its surroundings. Children's entertainment includes an amusement park, a zoo, and a water park, but it seems to me that this is too noisy a place for families with children. The most common type of transport in Sousse is a taxi; tourists mainly travel by them.

Hammamet is considered a health resort, where tourists come not only to relax, but also to improve their health. From the point of view of children's recreation, there is clean sea air, which has a beneficial effect on the human body. There are many thalassotherapy centers here, where both you and your child can undergo a healing massage, swim in special salt water pools, and also enjoy a number of other procedures. Hammamet is the quietest Tunisian resort, so it is ideal for children's holidays.

If the financial side is not of paramount importance to you, then I advise you to go on vacation to the most luxurious place in Tunisia - the island of Djerba. This island has the most luxurious hotels and a huge amount of all kinds of entertainment, including for children of any age. This island has ideal beaches, clean water, but does not have the exoticism that can be found in other resorts.

The resort of Monastir is somewhat similar to Hammamet; it is also ideal for a quiet and relaxing holiday with children. If there is any noise at this resort, it is only in places and, unlike Sousse, there is not much of it. Most of the beaches in this resort are sandy, the entrance to the water is gentle, so you can relax here even with the smallest children. On the other hand, there is not as much entertainment here as in Sousse, but there are a number of entertainments for children, among which it is worth noting the aquapark and the Adam Park amusement park. For older children, snorkeling will be a favorite pastime. If we talk about hotels, then in Sousse and Hammamet the hotels are better, but in Monastir they are too simple and you shouldn’t expect good European service, but don’t worry that the hotel will be bad.

Tunisia is a colorful country, each resort has its own pros and cons. Before you go, you must compare your financial capabilities with your wishes. A good location of the hotel is important for a good holiday, so pay some attention to this.

With children I would choose Monastir. It’s very close to the airport, the children won’t get tired when moving. And if something happens, you can leave quickly; lately I haven’t discounted this point in any African country. The hotels there are good, there are many club hotels, level 3-4*, but they have everything you need, and I’d better keep quiet about the European service in European hotels of equal star rating (((. And the beaches, of course, play an important role. With children than the smaller the better.

And I would choose Hammamet for a holiday with children. In Monastir you have to take a taxi from the hotel to the town, but in Hammamet everything is nearby - there is Carthage Land (amusement park), and an artificial medina, and many thalassotherapy centers, and the hotels there are much better. The only drawback is that it takes an hour and a half to two hours from the airport, but for the convenience of further rest you can be patient a little.

Of the resorts you have chosen, Monastir offers the most budget-friendly holiday. There are gentle beaches here, there is the opportunity to go diving, and you can ride horses with your child at the Skanes ranch. But for entertainment such as attractions, a water park, etc., you will have to go to Sousse. Sousse is not a sleeping youth resort; it is not comfortable there with children, especially small ones. The undoubted advantage of Monastir is direct charters.

In this guide you will find out which resort to choose in Tunisia: Djerba, Sousse, Mahdia, or Hammamet, what the weather and climate is like in Tunisia, how to find a last-minute all-inclusive tour to Tunisia, and also about money, prices and what to bring from Tunisia .
I’ll tell you which excursions are best to take in Tunisia, how to rent a car inexpensively and safely, as well as what to see in Tunisia and where to have fun, what national cuisine you can try, and what is the cheapest way to contact your loved ones.

In order to choose a resort in Tunisia and a hotel, as well as independently find a tour to Tunisia at the best price with minimal time, I recommend studying the sections of the guide in order. If you are interested in a specific question about organizing a holiday in Tunisia, you can click on the title and you will immediately be taken to the right place in this guide.

Guide sections ⇊⇊

✈ How to get to Tunisia - last minute tours, choice of tour operator and airline

👙 Resorts and beaches of Tunisia - where is the best place to go on vacation

Tunisia, in my opinion, is a more “open” country, “Europeanized” than, for example, Egypt, although this is also Africa. In Tunisia, you want to move freely around the country by renting a car to enjoy the views of local streets, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and visit cafes and restaurants with national cuisine. Tunisia combines the values of many cultures: despite the fact that it is an Arab country, the influence and spirit of Europeans is clearly present here.

Sidi Bou Said, "the second Santorini", Tunisia

How to get to Tunisia: last minute tours to Tunisia and prices, tour operators in Tunisia, airlines and airports

I have already said before that to destinations such as Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, it is more profitable and convenient to buy a package tour through a tour operator/travel agency.

The cost of the tour directly depends on the number of allocated seats on the plane on a certain date, on the demand for the tour on this date and on a specific hotel. Often, the greater the demand, the higher the cost of the tour. Or vice versa, if the board allocated for a charter flight is not fully staffed, the tour operator begins to reduce the cost of the tour.

Also, you can profitably fly to Tunisia on a special offer from a tour operator. You can read more about what last minute tours and special offers are in the article:

So, as a rule, a tour becomes a special offer due to discounts and promotions that hoteliers offer for a certain period.

Thus, the cost of a tour to Tunisia depends on many factors, including seasonality and demand.

Reliable tour operators in Tunisia - how to choose

➤ Which tour operators can I book tours to Tunisia from?

Given the unstable situation in the tourism market, many tour operators are leaving the market. As a rule, large players remain, or companies merge. First of all, you can verify the reliability of a tour operator by checking the number in the register of tour operators and the amount of financial support. Link to the federal register of tour operators by the amount of financial support: https://www.russiatourism.ru/operators/.

So, the main tour operators that give good prices for Tunisia are these are Grand PTK (Grand Express in St. Petersburg), Coral Travel, Anex Tour. Sometimes you can find interesting options at Biblio Globus.

➤ The second indicator of “reliability” can be the presence of its own planes and flights, guaranteed blocks in hotels. There are tour operators - resellers who do not organize your vacation themselves, but buy ready-made tours at wholesale prices from large tour operators and resell them. These include tour operators Troika and Intravel Tabletops. This does not mean at all that these are bad tour operators, but I still prefer to book a vacation through those tour operators who themselves create package tours, have their own charters and guaranteed blocks of hotel rooms.

➤ Thirdly, I recommend paying attention to which airlines operate flights and the statistics on delays for these flights. Information can be easily found on the Internet. As you know, this season, we were let down by VI-avia (at a certain moment, due to the delay of the plane from repair, all flights shifted each other like dominoes), and I-Fly and Nord Wind airlines were noticed to have multiple shifts in departure times , up to the reduction of days on the tour.

Now you know which tour operators to check prices for Tunisia - you can book your own tour.

3 reasons why it’s not scary to book Tunisia yourself via the Internet

1. Tunisia is a visa-free country. There is no need to “bother” with the package of documents for a visa and additionally pay its cost. That is, when booking a tour online, there will be no additional fees for visas.

2. Tunisia is a popular tourist destination, hotel confirmation is good, even if the tour operator does not have its own guaranteed hotel rooms. Just do not forget that it is better to book a tour in advance, since with last-minute tours we choose from what is left and if the hotel is not confirmed, we will have to quickly determine an alternative for ourselves while there are tickets left.

3. To book a tour to Tunisia, there are reliable and trusted sites-platforms with which you can buy a ticket yourself and without wasting time. 🔧 How it works?

Everything is very simple: there are three proven sites where I look for last minute tours and special offers: travelata.ru, . In fact, you and I can book a tour directly with a tour operator (without any commissions or extra charges) through an online booking system, without going to a travel agency.

I often use the system travelata- there is a more intuitive interface, the price when booking is final. On other sites, the price is also final, with a fuel surcharge. Therefore, as with air tickets, I always use several sources - where the price is better (and, of course, the tour operator is reliable), I buy there.

Detailed instructions on how to book a tour online via the Internet:

Once you have found the option you are interested in and decided on the hotel, have read the information about what is included in the tour price, the flight program and the tour operator - you can safely start booking. Most importantly, if there is something you don’t understand, call the number listed on the website so that a travel consultant can answer all your questions.

✈ Airlines and airports

Each tour operator has its own flight program to Tunisia. You can fly to Tunisia from Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports.

From airport Domodedovo Charter airline flies to Tunisia Azur Air, tour operator Anex Tour.

From airport Vnukovo Tunisian Airlines flies: Nouvelair Tunisia(tour operator Grand PTK) and airline State Customs Committee Russia(Russia airlines - tour operator Biblio Globus).

From airport Sheremetyevo You can fly to Tunisia by air Royal flight(Royal Flight - tour operator Coral Travel), as well as Tunisian Airlines Tunisair(Grand PTK).

I flew to Tunisia with Tunisian airlines Nouvel air, the plane was an Airbus A320, small in size (two rows of three seats), it was impossible to check in for the flight online.

However, it is Tunisian Airlines that has proven itself to be the most stable airline in terms of departure times, despite the fact that these are charter flights and not regular ones.

3 things to know when buying a tour on charter flights:

➤ Charter flights can change the airport as well as the departure time, either forward or backward in time. The day before departure, carefully monitor information about your departure on the airport’s online display or in your personal account on the site where you booked the tour.

➤ Tickets for charter flights are cheaper, so don’t count on the day of departure and arrival. You shouldn’t guess about flights: morning there, evening back, so that you don’t “lose days.” When purchasing a tour you pay per night, if you want to stay longer, take more per night on the tour.

➤ When choosing the “flight specification” option from a tour operator, you can only guarantee that you will fly on exactly the flight for which you paid extra money, but not the time of departure/arrival.

Which resort to choose in Tunisia: Mahdia, Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir, the island of Djerba or the Zarzis Peninsula?

During my trip to Tunisia, I got acquainted with all the popular resorts of this African country.

I will try to characterize each resort in Tunisia.

Monastir

The resort closest to the Monastir arrival airport. This resort is interesting for those who want to get acquainted with the local way of life of Tunisians and visit the Medina.

Monastir cannot particularly boast of good and clean beaches, since most of them are city beaches. The resort area of Skanes, which is quieter and separated from the bustle of the city, is located some distance from the city itself. The city of Monastir can be reached by taxi (about 10 dinars).

A popular hotel in this resort is Palmyra holiday resort 3*+ (Palmyra Holiday Resort). Hotel price-quality. The food is good, including seafood. The hotel itself is a bit old, but Russian tourists are treated well.

Mahdia

A small and very poor town. The same applies to the hotels in this resort. The hotel areas are beautiful, large and green, but the rooms and food leave much to be desired. The “strong side” of the hotels in this resort can be considered the Thalassotherapy centers.

What I remember most about the hotels at this resort was the specific smell in the hotel (maybe it was the floor cleaner that smelled like that, maybe the water itself), as well as the smell of “feces” near the lawn (lawns are watered with sewage water).

If you are vacationing in Mahdia, take a train tour around the city. Take a breeze through the narrow streets of the city, see the port and how the locals live, and also see how Tunisian cemeteries are arranged. In addition, along the way, you will see garbage along the roads and blue bags. There are no waste treatment plants in Tunisia.

In favor of Mahdia, I can say that the sea here is the most beautiful in Tunisia. The color of the water is turquoise. This color of the sea cannot be found in other Tunisian resorts.

Of the hotels we looked at in Mahdia, I more or less liked the Vincci El Mansour 4*, the modest Topkapi Beach 3* for its low price, as well as the Caribbean World Mahdia 4* ).

Hammamet

The beaches are wide and sandy. The hotels of this resort are of a higher standard than the hotels of Monastir and Mahdia. I liked the Concord Marco Polo 4* hotel most of all: a huge infinity pool, good rooms, green areas. Also, hotels in the price-quality category Dar Khayam and Omar Khayam are no less popular among Russian tourists.

There is a place to leave the hotel, stroll through the streets, shops and buy a bag or backpack made of camel skin (the main thing is not to confuse it with pigskin, well disguised as a camel, not produced in a factory).

In the city of Hammamet you can visit the amusement park and water park Carthage Land. The amusement park itself, in my opinion, is more suitable for a children's audience. A ticket for an adult is 17 dinars (340 rubles), and for a child - 12 dinars (240 rubles) (approximately 1 dinar is equal to 20 rubles).

For those who want to combine an amusement park and a water park, a ticket costs 25 dinars. (about 500 rub./person)

Since Hammamet belongs to the northern part of the Tunisian coast, the excursion program here will be richer than in the south of Tunisia - you can go to the capital to see the ruins of Carthage, and also admire the outlines of the Italian islands - Sicily and Sardinia, from the city of Sidi Bou Said.

Sousse

I liked Sousse for its infrastructure and good hotels. Also, at this resort you can visit the medina - the local market. To be honest, most of the goods on the market are made in China. Therefore, the market reminded me of Cherkizovsky, with the specific smell of Chinese things.

In Sousse I lived at the Iberostar Andalous hotel (Iberostar Diar El Andalous 5*). Updated rooms, good food, beautiful grounds, and most importantly - this hotel is located near Port El-Kantaoui. The port can be reached in 40 minutes on foot from the hotel. The epicenter of tourist activity is the pier. An amusement park, a water park, and a mini-zoo are open for families with children.

In general, the city itself is very beautiful, the architecture echoes the style of buildings in the French Riviera. The port itself is very cozy; in the evening it’s not at all scary to walk along the streets.

Djerba Island and Zarzis Peninsula

I liked the island of Djerba most of all - it is greener, the beaches are wide, the sand is light. As I said earlier, the season on the island. Djerba, as well as on the Zarzis Peninsula, begins earlier and ends later than in other tourist areas. The maximum distance from the airport to any hotel is 60-70 km, that is, close.

However, there is practically nothing to do here, that is, this is a relaxing holiday. Although, again, whoever seeks will find something to do. The nightclubs on Djerba can be counted on one hand, and the most popular is Le Cyclone.

For a change, you can visit local restaurants, which are famous for their hospitality and delicious fish dishes.

While vacationing on the island of Djerba and the Zarzis Peninsula, it is convenient to take an excursion to the desert Sahara, see the homes of the Berbers (indigenous inhabitants of Tunisia) and ride ATVs along the dunes of the endless sands of the Sahara, since it is located quite close.

Weather and climate in Tunisia

Current weather in Tunisia:

Climate in Tunisia

As I already said, Tunisia is washed by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, so the swimming season in Tunisia has its limitations: the northern coast of Tunisia, such as Sousse, Hammamet, Monastir and Mahdia - from the beginning of June to the beginning of October. In the south of Tunisia, the beach season lasts longer - from the beginning of May to the end of October. Thanks to the nearby Sahara Desert, dry and hot air extends the beach season in the south of the country.

At the end of summer there can sometimes be showers with thunderstorms, but they are short-lived. In winter, it is good to go to Tunisia for excursions. It won't be that hot there. I visited the Sahara Desert in May, the air temperature reached +60 degrees, and in addition, we were caught in a sandstorm, because of which small particles of sand got into the wheels of my suitcase and they began to creak.

Thus, best months to visit Tunisia: April, May, June, September and October.

Ideal time to visit the desert and travel around the country- March, April, May, as well as October, November.

Visa to Tunisia

For a tourist stay of 30 days, a visa to Tunisia is not required.

When going through passport control, you need to fill out a migration form in English, a foreign passport, and sometimes you may be asked for a voucher for hotel accommodation (if, for example, you are not flying on a package tour).

An example of filling out a migration card to Tunisia:

Money and prices in Tunisia

All payments in Tunisia are carried out only in the local currency - the Tunisian dinar (DT or TND). 1 Tunisian dinar is equal to 1000 millimes. You can take either euros or dollars with you. Almost everywhere, the dinar to dollar/euro ratio is the same. Therefore, you don’t need to bother and look for a more profitable exchanger or bank; just change money at the hotel reception.

Be sure to take a certificate (receipt) about currency exchange - if you have money left at the end of the trip, without a certificate you will not be able to exchange it back at the airport (but not less than 100 dinars). It is prohibited to take local money out of Tunisia.

In Duty Free zone stores, at Tunisian airports, all payments are in dollars/euros.

Tipping is not particularly common in Tunisia, but this expression of gratitude for work is greeted warmly.

💲 How much money to take to Tunisia?

Everything is very cheap in Tunisia. On average, tourists spend from 150 to 500 dollars for 7-10 days per person, depending on the purpose of your trip - either “lounge” on a sun lounger and sunbathe for days on end while drinking a cocktail, or rent a car and drive around the entire coast of the country.

In Tunisia, most shops accept bank cards. You can leave a certain amount on the card for unexpected expenses.

📎 Main items of expenses on vacation in Tunisia:

💰 Approximate prices in Tunisia:

Ticket to the museum – 2-3 $

Signature Tunisian mint tea – $1.5

Bottle of mineral water – $1.5

1 liter juice pack in the supermarket – 1 $

Bottle of wine in a restaurant – $9

A pack of cigarettes – 1.5-2 $

Cocktail on the beach – $3-7

Salad in a restaurant – $3-4

Meal in a restaurant – $10

Transport in Tunisia

🚕 Taxi

The most popular and convenient way to get around in Tunisia is by taxi.

All taxis are metered: boarding costs $0.3 + $0.2 for each kilometer traveled. In total, the average cost of a trip around the city costs 2-3 dollars. After 19-00 and until 06-00 there are increased tariffs for taxis.

Make sure that the taxi driver does not forget to turn on the meter,
otherwise he will set a high price at his own discretion.

All taxis in Tunisia are painted yellow .

To pay for a taxi, prepare small bills; the taxi driver may lie that he does not have change, or give less change than required. Before boarding a taxi, make sure that the meter is reset to zero before the trip and that the price quoted by the taxi driver is per car, not per person.

🚃 Public transport

"Minibuses" - they are also called "luazh". They are divided into cars with a red stripe - they travel long distances, and with a blue stripe - within the city. Luages are reminiscent of Sochi minibuses, they drive very fast and make sharp maneuvers.

Minibus taxis in Tunisia are an analogue of Gazelles (Renault and Peugeot brands), are designed for 5-8 seats, and begin to travel only after they have completely filled the seats in the cabin with passengers.

The cost of a trip on Luage is fixed, for example, to travel from Sousse to El Jem (60 km) you can cost 3.5 dinars / person.

🚄 Railway in Tunisia

Tunisian cities such as Tunis, Sousse and El Jem, as well as Sousse and Monastir, are served by a narrow gauge railway.

The trains operate in three classes - luxury, first and second class. It is better to buy tickets 2-3 days before the start of the trip. The cost of the trip, accordingly, depends on the class of carriage and destination. For example, a distance of 400 km (Tunis-Gabes) can be covered by train for 18 Tunisian dinars (2nd class carriage), 24.5 dinars (first class) and 26.2 dinars (comfort class).

Why tourists should not use the railway in Tunisia:

1. Inconvenient schedule - both long-distance trains and electric trains run on one track.

2. The track in different areas has different widths - you will need to make additional changes.

3. The railway does not connect all places of interest to tourists.

🚗 Rent a car in Tunisia

What you need to know to rent a car in Tunisia:

✓ Tunisia has good quality roads;

✓ Renting a car in Tunisia is allowed from the age of 21 and driving experience of more than 1 year;

✓ To conclude a lease agreement, you need documents: passport, license and cash deposit;

✓ Before concluding a contract, inspect the vehicle for damage;

✓ Road signs in Tunisia are in French and Arabic (the official languages in Tunisia are French and Arabic - not English!)

✓ To refuel your car, follow the background color of the inscriptions: gasoil on a yellow background - diesel fuel ($0.4/liter), super on a red background ($0.6/l), super suns plomb (environmentally friendly gasoline $0.6/l).

It is better to book a rental car in advance by pre-ordering a car - this will help you reduce the waiting time for a car, as well as save money and choose exactly the car you wanted.

Before paying, read the insurance conditions and choose the conditions that suit you. The estimated cost of renting a car in Tunisia is 3,000 rubles/day. But you can go around many interesting places on the coast - get to the capital, take a ride and wave to Italy from the cape on which the cozy town of Sidi Bou Said is located!

Sights and entertainment in Tunisia - what to see, where to go in Tunisia?

As I wrote before, in Tunisia you can not only spend time in a hotel, but also see a lot of interesting things.

I recommend taking excursions depending on the location of your hotel: in the south - an excursion to the Sahara Desert, El Jem (Roman Colosseum), and if your hotel is in the northern part of Tunisia, then go to the capital of Tunisia, explore the ruins of Carthage, stroll along the narrow streets of town of Sidi Bou Said. Learn more about all the attractions🔎

★ TOP 5 attractions of Tunisia that are worth seeing once (my rating)

1. Sidi Bou Said- a beautiful town, white houses with blue shutters on the windows and roofs, acacia grows everywhere, an incredible view of the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia opens from the cape! Ciao! Italy! Second Santorini in Greece.

2. El Jem- Roman amphitheater, or “Second Colosseum”. It ranks 2nd as the world's best-preserved Coliseum built during the colonial era.

3. Port El Kantaoui- Once here, I had the feeling that I was in Europe. A small harbor, boats with masts, cozy cafes, sea air - what could be better for an evening walk!

4. Carthage- was once the greatest city that even the Romans feared. It was founded by Phoenician colonists in 841 BC. This place is evidence that even before our era, people could create such high-tech structures.

Worth it if your hotel is located on the island of Djerba or the half of Zarzis (it’s not very far to travel).

You can choose to either ride ATVs or ride poor exhausted camels (of course, I chose ATVs).

If you go, then for two days with an overnight stay at the Sun Palms Hotel in the middle of the desert in a man-made oasis (small town).

✔ "Marisan" scenery, where the film "Star Wars" was filmed

✔ See how the indigenous people of Tunisia - the Berbers - live in the caves of the city of Matmata.

✔ You will ride on horse-drawn carts to palm plantations, try palm juice, and learn how dates are collected from palm trees. Also, you can admire how pomegranates and figs grow.

✔ Mountains on the border with Algeria - there you will go down into the gorge and have the opportunity to swim in a small mountain waterfall.

✔ Take plenty of water - the air in the desert is very dry and hot, you feel thirsty all the time.

✔ Shoes - on the first day of the excursion it is not necessary to wear some kind of tightly closed shoes, as the guide will advise you. I obeyed and put on sneakers - it was very hot in them, and in fact, we didn’t walk on any stones or boulders. Just something light, maybe fabric or canvas shoes. When riding ATVs, you can wear sneakers, however, mountains of sand were poured into my sneakers through small “holes”.

✔ Be sure to apply cream with an SPF filter, put a hat, cap, scarf on your head - anything to prevent sunstroke. It's better to wear a T-shirt to avoid burning your shoulders and don't forget to take sunglasses.

Shopping and souvenirs in Tunisia

Shops and stalls at the market in Tunisia generally open at 07-30-09-00. Some people work until lunchtime, and then they open only at night. And some open after 15-00 and work until 19-00. So, there is no standardized operating schedule for stores in Tunisia. You need to check with the hotel or locals.